userhttp://www.maclife.com/taxonomy/term/6535/all
enEasy Mac Hacks: Add Custom Text to Login Screenhttp://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/easy_mac_hacks_add_custom_text_login_screen
<!--paging_filter--><p><em><img src="/files/u12635/easy_mac_hacks_icon_flat_1.png" width="200" height="200" class="graphic-right" />Every week we show you how to do something quick and cool using built-in OS X utilities such as Terminal, Apple’s command line application. These easy hacks can make life better and simpler, and don’t require any knowledge of coding — all you need is a keyboard to type 'em out!<br /></em><br />If you use a multi-user system, then you're probably very well acquainted with the login window that appears when you boot up your Mac.&nbsp;This login screen usually doesn't do much except allow you to get into your system;&nbsp;however, you can easily add a custom message for the users on the system (such as important information for logging in). Continue reading, and we'll show you how to utilize this to create your own custom text in the login view.</p><h3>Setting the login window text</h3><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/logintext_1.png"><img src="/files/u12635/logintext_1.png" width="620" height="435" class="thickbox" /></a></p><p>To set the text of the login window, open the Terminal (located in /Applications/Utilities), and then type the following command:</p><pre><span style="font-size: small;">sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow LoginwindowText <br />"Text Here"</span></pre><p>You'll want to replace "Text Here" with the text that you wish to have appear in the login window. Note that you will be required to enter your administrator password before the above command can be run on your computer.</p><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/logintext_2.png"><img src="/files/u12635/logintext_2.png" width="620" height="349" class="thickbox" /></a><br /><br />After you restart your Mac, you'll notice the text appear on the login window.<br /><br />This is a great way to put "Hands off my computer" or other witty messages for non-users and users alike.</p><h3>Removing the login window text</h3><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/logintext_3.png"><img src="/files/u12635/logintext_3.png" width="620" height="435" class="thickbox" /></a></p><p>If you are tired of the login window text appearing on the login window, then you can remove it, and put the login window back to normal by opening the Terminal application once more and typing in the following command:</p><pre><span style="font-size: small;">sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow LoginwindowText ""</span></pre><p>After restarting your Mac, you will notice that the login window text that you had set previously no longer appears when booting your Mac or switching users.<br /><br /><em>Cory Bohon is a freelance technology writer, indie Mac and iOS developer, and amateur photographer. <a href="http://twitter.com/coryb" target="_blank">Follow this article's author on Twitter</a>.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/easy_mac_hacks_add_custom_text_login_screen#commentsBootColumnsCustom TextEasy Mac HacksHow tologinMacScreenSelectionTerminalTerminal 101userviewMacHow-TosTue, 27 May 2014 17:32:31 +0000Cory Bohon20020 at http://www.maclife.comTerminal 101: Changing File Owner with Chownhttp://www.maclife.com/article/columns/terminal_101_changing_file_owner_chown
<!--paging_filter--><p><em><a href="http://www.maclife.com/tags/Terminal_101"><img src="/files/u12635/terminal_101_teaser_69.png" width="150" height="150" style="float: right;" /></a>Every Monday, we'll show you how to do something new and simple with Apple's built-in command line application. You don't need any fancy software, or a knowledge of coding to do any of these. All you need is a keyboard to type 'em out!<br /></em><br />When copying a file between one system and another, occasionally both the permissions and owner for the files will be incorrect. You may need to change the owner of the file because the file is unable to be edited by the user due to permissions issues. While you could mess with the Finder’s “Get Info” panel to make these changes, there’s a better, and more simple way to change a large group of files at the same time. We’ll rely on the “chown” command to change the owner of a specified group of files, right from the command line.</p><h3>What is File Ownership?</h3><p>File ownership simply means the files that were created by a particular user. These files are therefore “owned” by that user. Users who do not own the files cannot edit them unless that user has super user privileges (and can run the “sudo” modifier on the edit command), or that user belongs to the same group as the file is assigned to.</p><h3>Changing one File</h3><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/fileownership.png"><img src="/files/u12635/fileownership.png" width="620" height="363" class="thickbox" /></a></p><p>If you only wish to change the owner of a single file, then we’ll use a specific command that is different from the recursive command for directories. Before you begin, however, you’ll need to know the shortname of the user you will be assigning the files to. This will be the name of the user’s home directory in the Finder. <br /><br />Once you have this bit of information, you can issue the following command:</p><pre>sudo chown -v username file</pre><p>Replace “username” with the shortname of the user who will be assigned the files, and replace “file” with the path and name of the file to be assigned. Because we used the -v flag (for verbose mode), you will see the file and what changed printed to the command line.</p><h3>Changing a group of Files</h3><p><a class="thickbox" href="/files/u12635/dirownership.png"><img src="/files/u12635/dirownership.png" width="620" height="363" class="thickbox" /></a></p><p>You may need to change ownership for a directory and all of the files and subdirectories contained within. You can easily do this by adding the recursive flag to the command, like so:</p><pre>sudo chown -Rv username directory </pre><p>Replace the “username” placeholder above with the shortname of the user who will be assigned the files, and replace “directory” with the path and name of the directory whose contents will be assigned to the user. Again, we used the -v flag in addition to the -R flag. This means that the command will output the files changed to the screen, so you can see exactly what happened.<br /><br /><em>Cory Bohon is a freelance technology writer, indie Mac and iOS developer, and amateur photographer. <a href="http://twitter.com/coryb" target="_blank">Follow this article's author on Twitter</a>.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/columns/terminal_101_changing_file_owner_chown#commentsChownColumnsFile OwnerGroupMacownerownershippermissionsrecursiveTerminalTerminal 101userverboseMacMon, 12 Aug 2013 18:23:22 +0000Cory Bohon17748 at http://www.maclife.comiPhone and iPad Tips of the Week - Troubleshooting the Touchscreenhttp://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/iphone_and_ipad_tips_week_troubleshooting_touchscreen
<!--paging_filter--><p>This week's tips cover touchscreen issues with the iPhone and iPod touch. We'll also take a look at some keyboard tips for all iOS devices that help you to be better and faster at typing contractions, and we'll explore how to clear out the auto-correct dictionary. Also, we'll show you a cool tip about how to convert any document from any app into a PDF file, and the into iTunes for syncing to iBooks.</p><h3>iPhone and iPod touch Touchscreen Troubleshooting</h3><p>If your iPhone or iPod touch exhibits behavior where the touchscreen does not respond, portions of it do not respond, or it is slow to respond, here are some troubleshooting tips.</p><p>You should make sure that your display is clean by wiping it with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free microfiber cloth. If you've applied a protective plastic sheet or film on the touchscreen, try removing it and test the screen again. <br /><br />If none of the above work try resetting the device by pressing and holding the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button at the same time for at least 10 seconds. When the Apple logo appears, release all buttons.</p><p><img src="/files/u62/calc.png" alt="Calculator app" width="238" height="357" /><br /><br />If you are still having problems launch the Calculator app and make sure it is not in scientific mode. Press each button on the Calculator and verify they work making notes as you go along about the ones that are not working. Now flip the Calculator app into scientific mode and press all the buttons in the left two rows.</p><p><img src="/files/u62/caclscileft.png" alt="Calculator Sci Left" width="119" height="319" /><br /><br />If you have a list of buttons that do no work the you should schedule a service appointment at your local Apple Store Genius Bar or call AppleCare. <br /><br /><strong>Compatibility:</strong> iPhone and iPod touch.</p><h3>iOS Auto-Correction Keyboard Settings</h3><p>Auto-Correction: sometimes you love it or hate it.</p><p><img src="/files/u62/keyboardsettings.png" alt="iOS Keyboard Settings" width="238" height="357" /><br /><br />If you leave this feature On, auto-correct will be sure to correct your typing, even if the word you're spelling out isn't wrong. It's also known for its suggestions of contractions. For example, if you type "cant", iOS will automatically suggest "can't"--you can accept the offered suggestion by pressing the space bar or rejecting it by selecting the small X that appears in the pop-up bubble. <br /><br /><strong>Compatibility:</strong> iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.</p><h3>Resetting the Custom Dictionary</h3><p>When you type, iOS automatically picks up on how you type and the kinds of words you use. But sometimes, you want it to forget that you misspelled the word "blue" and have it appear the right way the first time. Launch the Settings app, tap General &gt; Reset &gt; Reset Keyboard Dictionary. The user's customer keyboard dictionary will be reset to factory defaults.</p><p><img src="/files/u62/resetdictionary.png" alt="iOS Reset Dictonary Warning" width="237" height="153" /><br /><br /><strong>Compatibility: </strong>iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.</p><h3>Add Documents and Websites to iTunes</h3><p>Here's a handy tip for making your own reference material to read on your favorite iOS device in iBooks. Since iBooks supports PDF files, as well as ePub files, you can use PDF print services on your Mac to generate a document that will sync to iBooks from iTunes. Here are the steps you'll need to perform on your Mac in order to get this to work.<br /><br /><strong>Step 1:</strong> In Finder browse to ~/Library. Look for a folder called PDF Services. If it doesn't exist, then create it by calling it PDF Services, using the same capitalization and spelling. Open the new folder and leave it alone for the time being.</p><p><img src="/files/u62/pdfservices.png" alt="PDF Services Folder" width="620" height="349" /><br /><br /><strong>Step 2:</strong> In the Finder, browse to your Applications folder by double-clicking Macintosh HD and then double-clicking Applications. Locate the icon for iTunes and click it once to select it--if iTunes launches close it and start over. Once you've selected the iTunes icon press CMD+L to make an alias.</p><p><img src="/files/u62/appfolder.png" alt="Application Folder" width="620" height="349" /><br /><br /><strong>Step 3:</strong> Drag the alias icon--not the original one--to the folder you created in Step 1. Rename it to iTunes by removing the word alias.</p><p><img src="/files/u62/itunesalias.png" alt="iTunes Alias" width="620" height="349" /></p><p><br /><strong>Step 4:</strong> Launch Safari and browse to http://www.maclife.com. Wait for the page to load and then select Print. Click the PDF button on the bottom left corner of the print dialog window that opens and choose iTunes. This will launch iTunes which will receive the PDF file. The next time you Sync your iOS device the PDF will be available to read in iBooks.</p><p>Note that this tip is useful for any application that you can print from.</p><p><img src="/files/u62/printdialog.png" alt="Print Dialog" width="620" height="349" /><br /><br /><strong>Compatibility:</strong> iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. iTunes 9.2 or higher.<br /><br /></p><p><em>Follow this article's author, <a href="http://twitter.com/david_w_martin">David W. Martin</a>, on <a href="http://twitter.com">Twitter</a>.</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/iphone_and_ipad_tips_week_troubleshooting_touchscreen#commentsauto-correctiondictionaryibooksiPhone and iPad Tips of the WeekiTunesPDFtouchscreentroubleshootinguserHow-TosThu, 25 Nov 2010 18:59:25 +0000David W. Martin9023 at http://www.maclife.comiPhone and iPad Tips of the Week - Tweaking Safari and Utilizing iBookshttp://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/iphone_and_ipad_tips_week_tweaking_safari_and_utilizing_ibooks
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="../../files/u53/ibooks_4.jpg" alt="iPad User Guide" title="iPad User Guide" width="380" height="250" /></p><p>This week's tips will show you some interesting things you can do in Safari and iBooks on your favorite iOS device. Plus, you'll get a tip on how to download Apple's free iPad User Guide and read it using iBooks.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>Open Safari Web Links in a New Page</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Safari on your iOS devices can support multiple webpages at the same time. So when you're viewing a page currently that you don't want to leave, but you want to check out a link in another tab, you totally can.</p><p>Simply tap and hold the link until you see an option window pop-up. Select <strong>Open in New Page</strong> and Safari will open it in a new window leaving the original window intact.</p><p>Navigate between all the open Web pages using the button that looks like two over lapping pieces of paper at the top of the Safari screen.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="/files/u62/safaripageopen.png" alt="Safari Open New Page" title="Safari Open New Page" width="336" height="275" /></p><p><strong>Compatibility:</strong> iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>Customize iBooks</h2><p><br />Page turning can be sped up a bit by altering what happens when you tap the left margin while reading a book in iBooks. You can set iBooks to go to either way when you tap the left margin. If you are a super speedy reade--like me--you'll appreciate this tip a whole lot.</p><p>Set it up by launching the Settings app, tap iBooks under the Apps section, select <strong>Tap Left Margin</strong>, and then select either <strong>Previous Page</strong> or <strong>Next Page</strong>.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="/files/u62/tapmargin.png" alt="iBooks Customization" title="iBooks Customization" width="460" height="176" /></p><p><strong>Compatbility:</strong> iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>Turn on Safari AutoFill</h2><p><br />This time saving tip is especially handy if you hate to type the same old information over and over again. You can turn this feature on so that iOS will remember your contact info, names, and passwords.</p><p>Set it up by launching the Settings app, tap Safari, tap <strong>AutoFill</strong>, and turn <strong>Use Contact Info and Names and Passwords</strong> on. You can tap My Info to select the contact information you wish to use from your contact list.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="/files/u62/autofill.png" alt="Safari AutoFill" title="Safari AutoFill" width="463" height="317" /></p><p><strong>Compatbility:</strong> iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.<br /><br /></p><h2>iPad User Guide</h2><p><br />The iPad doesn't come with a whole lot inside the box it ships in, which means it doesn't come with a user manual either. However, you can download Apple's official iPad User Guide in e-book format from the iBookstore. Just visit the iBookstore and search for iPad User Guide.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It's a free download so install it on your iPad as a handy reference guide.</p><p><img src="/files/u62/ipaduserguide.png" alt="iBooks iPad User Guide" title="iBooks iPad User Guide" width="571" height="315" /></p><p><strong>Compatbility:</strong> iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/iphone_and_ipad_tips_week_tweaking_safari_and_utilizing_ibooks#commentsguideibooksiPad AppsiPhone and iPad Tips of the WeekiPhone appsiPod AppsSafariuserHow-TosFri, 22 Oct 2010 00:04:01 +0000David W. Martin8657 at http://www.maclife.com